The ZYPAD is a PDA designed to be worn on a user's wrist like a bracer and offers interface port features similar to laptop computer.[2] It was developed by Parvus, a military contractor, and Eurotech.[3] It is arguable whether it qualifies as a watch, but it is referred to as a "Wrist Worn PC". It ships with Linux kernel 2.6 and also supports Windows CE 5.0, and can sense motion, allowing such possibilities of use such as going into standby mode when a user lowers his/her arm. It can determine its position by dead reckoning as well as via GPS. It supports Bluetooth, IrDA, and WiFi.[2]

ZYPAD WL 1000
The ZYPAD WL 1000
ManufacturerEurotech / Parvus
TypeSmartwatch, PDA
Release date2006
Introductory price~$2000
Operating systemLinux and Windows CE
CPUAU 1100 @ 400MHz[1]
MemoryUp to 64 MB RAM
StorageUp to 64 MB Flash
Display320x240 (1/4 VGA) 256K Color 3.5" TFT
ConnectivityGPS, USB, IRDA, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g
Power3.6 V 2200 mAh Li-Ion (4 hour charge)
Mass7 ounces (290g)
SuccessorZYPAD WR 11XX

The ZYPAD debuted in 2006 and the ZYPAD WL 1000 was the first marketed device, followed by the WL 1100.[4][5] Initial retail prices were set to be around $2000.[6] The Zypad WR1100 debuted in 2008 and features housing made out of high strength fiberglass-reinforced nylon-magnesium alloy and a biometric fingerprint scanner.[7]

Notes and references

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  1. ^ "Zypad WL 1000 Specifications". Retrieved 16 September 2010.
  2. ^ a b "ZYPAD WL 11XX". zypad.com. Retrieved 16 September 2010.
  3. ^ "Zypad WL1000". Parvus. Retrieved 16 September 2010.
  4. ^ Blass, Evan (14 March 2006). "Eurotech WWPC for wrist-top computing". Engadget.com. Retrieved 16 September 2010.
  5. ^ Miller, Paul (26 June 2008). "WWPC gets real with ZYPAD WL 1000". Engadget.com. Retrieved 16 September 2010.
  6. ^ "Seven-ounce "wrist PC" runs Linux". LinuxDevices.com. 14 March 2006. Archived from the original on 2006-04-08.
  7. ^ Flatley, Joseph (13 March 2008). "Zypad mil-spec wrist PC gets a refresh". Retrieved 16 September 2010.
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